Question

You’re given two side lengths of 3 centimeters and 5 centimeters. Which measurement can you use for the length of the third side to construct a valid triangle?

Answer 1

If we assume the hypotenuse is of side length 5:
a^2+b^2=c^2
3^2+b^2=5^2
9+b^2=25
b^2=16
b=4
If the hypotenuse is the unknown:
a^2+b^2=c^2
3^2+5^2=c^2
9+25=c^2
c^2=34
c=(34)^(1/2)